Labeling your quilt: Why you should & ways to do it!
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to The Quilting Connection’s newsletter and … maybe? … welcome back from spring break. Rick, the kids and I recently returned from a wonderful road trip! I’m all rejuvenated and ready to get back at it! How about you?
Have you been following our regular Facebook posts showing the beautiful quilts completed by our renters? We try to give you a glimpse of the wide variety of quilts coming through our shops. We share a picture of the whole quilt and then a closeup of the quilting.
Then it’s out the door to be finished. Generally, that means adding the binding, or maybe stitching it closed if the renter brought it in to be sewn on while the quilt was still on the frame. But there’s one more step … labeling your quilt! Do you take that last step?
While there’s no definitive answer as to how many quilters label their quilts, most research concludes that about half of us complete that step. What’s really interesting is that the same research indicates that over 90% of us think that labeling our quilts is important!
Why the gap between believing it’s important and doing it? There are many legitimate reasons, with time and habit probably leading the list. So, with that in mind, let’s explore some whys for labeling your quilts and then some options for actually doing it!
Why Label Your Quilt?
When you label your quilt, it adds value … it honors the maker and, if a gift, the recipient. It establishes the quilt as part of a story, providing context for its creation and its place in history.
More specifically, quilt labels:
Preserve the basic facts. Quilts often outlive their makers. And even when they don’t, names, dates, the purpose, etc. are easily forgotten. Plus, information like dates and places anchor the quilt in history.
Add emotional meaning. When gifting or donating a quilt to a specific cause, a label elevates the quilt to a keepsake. It adds a personal connection as well as a polished finishing touch.
Provide practical information. Adding information like fiber content, care instructions, and batting specifics ensures that the quilt’s owner will know how to care for it. In some cases, that can be you reminding yourself of this information months or years from now!
Document your legacy as a quilter. Give yourself some recognition! This isn’t about bragging. It’s about sharing your belief and participation in the art of quilting. It can also document your quilting journey over time.
Ways to Label Your Quilt
You might be surprised by how many options you have to choose from when it comes to labeling your quilts. Multiple methods may appeal to you, and your choice will probably depend on how much time you have available for labeling and the purpose of the quilt.
So, let’s explore some options:
Handwritten labels – Probably the easiest and fastest way to label your quilts.
This method is simple in that you use a permanent, fabric-safe pen/marker and hand write your label information onto a separate piece of fabric which you’ll then attach to your quilt. Done!
Tips when handwriting label. Test your marking pen on another piece of fabric before creating your label. See if the ink bleeds, making it hard to read. Is the color legible on the fabric? Then wash your test scrap to make sure the label (and quilt) will be okay when the quilt is washed.
Check your handwriting or printing skills. Is everything readable?
Don’t write directly on the quilt.
Use a fine-tip marker such as a Micron pen or Sharpie.
Heat-set your label by pressing it with a dry iron on its hottest setting.
A variation of this method is creating a hand-embroidered label.
Sewing or embroidery machine created labels – Add a professional touch to your label.
Many domestic sewing machines have built in alphabet stitches which you can use to create a label. And for those of you who own embroidery machines, use your creativity to combine information and images that complement the quilt and its purpose!
Printed fabric labels – Create quilt labels using your computer, printer and printable fabric.
Using your computer to create quilt labels allows you to design a label that you can easily save and then replicate or modify to fit your next quilt. Using ink-jet ready fabric sheets, you can create multiple labels at once. And because you’re working from the computer, your print size is small enough to be legible while including detailed information and images.
Our Appleton shop manager, Jennifer George, loves using this method to create her quilt labels. To show you how easy this process can be, she’s given me permission to share the steps she follows when creating her quilt labels.
Jen uses the free software from www.avery.com
Step 1 – Create a username and a password so you can login and save your designs.
Step 2 – Click on the Template tab and find a template you like. You can use any size. Jen likes the 3 1/3 X 4 shipping labels size. This gives you six labels per fabric sheet.
Step 3 – Click on Start Designing so you can create your own designs.
Step 4 – Pick a blank label or a design template. Jen uses the blank design so she can create a very custom label.
Step 5 – Begin editing your label(s). You can edit one label at a time or all six at once. NOTE: You can create/print just one label, but creating multiple at one time is a more efficient use of the whole fabric sheet. Jen customizes as many of the labels as possible, then make the others generic so she can write in the specifics once she makes the quilts.
Step 6 – There are free images you can import onto your label and many font choices. The software works similarly to Microsoft Word or Publisher.
Step 7 – Once you have all your information entered and have customized your label(s), Save and then Preview and Print. Choose Download a PDF to Print. You can download the file or just open the PDF. Then print with the best print options you have for your printer.
Insert the inkjet fabric sheet. (These can be purchased at many quilt shops, Amazon, and Michaels.) Print with the fabric side up. Jen always prints a paper copy first to make sure everything looks right. (The fabric sheets aren’t overly expensive, but they’re costly enough not to waste!)
Once you have the labels printed, follow the instructions on the fabric sheet.
Step 8 – Cut the labels apart and then attach them to your quilt. Jen irons a thin piece of interfacing to the back of the label to add more stability. Fold the raw edges back a quarter inch. Then sew the label onto your quilt back before longarming the quilt or hand sew it onto the back after the quilting is done.
Here are some of Jen’s examples. (I’ll talk about what information to include on your labels in just a bit.)
Pre-made or custom purchased labels – Let someone else make your quilt labels!
On-demand print technology gives you a variety of options for ordering your quilt labels pre-made by someone else. Etsy offers many sellers who will work with you to create personalized labels meeting your specifications. You can search for quilt label companies online as well.
Decorative or themed labels – Labeling your quilt with a complementing piece of artwork.
Consider creating a label that looks like part of the quilt! You can use leftover fabric or blocks from the top. Or maybe you have some extra pieces of applique to work into a label. Another option is drawing or finding illustrations that match the theme of your quilt.
Regardless of the type of labeling you choose, have fun with it! Be creative! Your label is like the artist’s signature on a painting. It may be small, but it’s important!
And speaking of importance, let’s give some consideration to the information you can include on your quilt labels.
Information to Include on Your Quilt Label
What you put on your quilt labels comes down to personal preference. Who’s receiving the quilt, if a gift or donation, and the purpose of the quilt are probably the two main factors determining what you include and the tone of the wording on the label.
The Basics
Quilter
This can be multiple people – who pieced the top, who quilted or longarmed the quilt
Tone? Casual – Aunt Angie, Grandma Karen / Formal – Angie Dugan
Date(s)
Date completed – Year / Month & Year / Specific date
If there’s been a time gap between piecing & quilting, provide both dates.
Location
Where was the quilt made?
Additional Details (as you see fit or as required for a quilt show)
Quilt’s name / title
Recipient (if applicable)
Date commemorated (wedding, birthdate, anniversary, retirement, etc.)
Materials used – Type of fabrics, batting, thread
Piecing / Quilting techniques used
Quilt measurements
Pattern used / Designer
Quilt’s story
Special message to recipient (if applicable)
Care instructions – Especially important if gifting the quilt but helpful regardless as time goes on
Quilter's contact information (usually due to quilt show requirements)
So, what do you think? If you’re in the 50% of quilters who already label your quilts, did you find a new method to try or a piece of information to add? And if you don’t label your quilts regularly, did you find a method that may add a fun finishing touch to completing your quilt?
Let me know what you think! What labeling techniques work for you? Or what stops you from adding a label? Do you need any additional information on labeling your quilt?
Okay, that’s it for this post!
Please remember, if you ever have ANY questions or want additional information about ANY of the products and services The Quilting Connection offers, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
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And please share your thoughts and questions. I’d love to hear from you!